What Does Compressed File Mean?
A compressed file is any file which is smaller than its original size and could contain one or more files, or even a directory. A compressed file has the compressed attribute switched on. Compressed files have the advantage of being faster to transmit and download, and can allow more data to be stored in physical or removable media.
Techopedia Explains Compressed File
Examples of compressed file extensions are .RAR, .ZIP and .TAR. A compressed file is created with the help of different file compression techniques which perform mathematical analysis of the data contained in the file and remove redundancies involved. Compressed files are ideal for text, word processor documents, .WAV audio files and spreadsheets. However, compressed files are poorer in quality in the case of graphic files or certain audio and video formats. It is often recommended to check the data contained in the files before creating compressed files.
